Method of controlling digital photographing apparatus and digital photographing apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

Provided is a method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus recording moving image data being input to a recording medium in a moving image photographing mode. The method includes creating a moving image file in the recording medium and storing the moving image data being input in the moving image file when a first signal is generated by a first button of the digital photographing apparatus pressed by a user, stopping storing of the moving image data being input when the first signal is generated by a second button of the digital photographing apparatus pressed by the user, continuing to store the moving image data being input in the moving image file when a second signal is generated by the second button pressed by the user, and stopping storing of the moving image data being input and completing the moving image file when the second signal is generated by the first button pressed by the user.

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No.2004-8184, filed on Feb. 7, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual PropertyOffice, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entiretyby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of controlling a digitalphotographing apparatus and a digital photographing apparatus using thesame, and more particularly, to a method of controlling a digitalphotographing apparatus storing moving image data recorded on arecording medium in a moving image photographing mode and a digitalphotographing apparatus using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional digital photographing apparatuses, for example, the digitalcameras disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication Nos. 331,689titled “Digital camera” and 223,377 titled “Digital camera and a methodof controlling the same,” set an operating condition at a user's choicein a setting mode, display an input image on a display panel in apreview mode, record image data on a recording medium in a photographingmode, and display images of the image data stored on the recordingmedium on the display panel.

In a moving image photographing mode, a conventional digitalphotographing apparatus operates as follows. When a user presses abutton, such as a shutter release button, on a conventional digitalphotographing apparatus, a moving image file is created in a recordingmedium, and any moving image data that is being input is processed andstored in the moving image file. When the user presses the shutterrelease button again, the moving image data that is being input stopsbeing stored, and the moving image file is completed. This operation isfrequently performed in a moving image photographing mode. In otherwords, when the user presses the shutter release button again, anothermoving image file is created. Then, the moving image data being input isprocessed and stored in the moving image file. When the user presses theshutter release button again, the moving image data being input stopsbeing stored, and the moving image file is completed.

According to the method of controlling the conventional digitalphotographing apparatus, whenever a user presses a button forphotographing moving images, a moving image file is created. Therefore,it is not possible for the user to consecutively reproduce moving imagesphotographed at different times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of controlling a digitalphotographing apparatus and a digital photographing apparatus using thesame, which can consecutively reproduce moving image data photographedat different times at a user's choice.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided amethod of controlling a digital photographing apparatus recording movingimage data being input to a recording medium in a moving imagephotographing mode. The method includes creating a moving image file inthe recording medium and storing the moving image data being input inthe moving image file when a first signal is generated by a first buttonof the digital photographing apparatus pressed by a user, stoppingstoring the moving image data being input when the first signal isgenerated by a second button of the digital photographing apparatuspressed by the user, continuing to store the moving image data beinginput in the moving image file when a second signal is generated by thesecond button pressed by the user, and stopping storing the moving imagedata being input and completing the moving image file when the secondsignal is generated by the first button pressed by the user.

In the method of controlling the digital photographing apparatusaccording to the present invention, signals generated by the secondbutton are additionally used. Therefore, the moving images is dividedinto different time frames at a user's choice can be stored in the samemoving image file. Accordingly, the moving images photographed atdifferent times can be consecutively reproduced.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda digital photographing apparatus using the above method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a digital photographing apparatusaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a back view showing the back of the digital photographingapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the entire configuration of the digital photographingapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a main algorithm of a digital signalprocessor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an algorithm of performing a movingimage photographing mode of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram illustrating a first example of performingSteps 4210 through 4219 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6A is a timing diagram illustrating another example of performingSteps 4210 through 4219;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the structure of a moving image fileobtained from the first example of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating a second example of performingSteps 4210 through 4219;

FIG. 9 is a timing diagram illustrating a third example of performingSteps 4210 through 4219;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an algorithm of performing apreview mode of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an algorithm of performing a stillimage photographing mode of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the front part of a digital photographing apparatus1 according to the present invention includes a microphone MIC, aself-timer lamp 11, a flash 12, a shutter release button 13, aviewfinder 17 a, a flash light intensity sensor 19, a power switch 31, alens unit 20, and a remote receiver 41.

In a self-timer mode, the self-timer lamp 11 operates for a set periodof time from when the shutter release button 13 is pressed to when animage starts to be captured. When the flash 12 operates, the flash lightintensity sensor 19 senses the intensity of light generated by the flash12 and inputs the sensed intensity of the light to a digital signalprocessor (DSP) 507 of FIG. 3 via a micro controller 512 of FIG. 3. Theremote receiver 41 receives a command signal, for example, aphotographing command signal and inputs the photographing command signalto the micro controller 512.

The shutter release button 13 has two levels. In other words, referringto FIGS. 5 and 11, after operating a wide angle-zoom button 39 _(W) anda telephoto-zoom button 39 _(T), when a user presses the shutter releasebutton 13 to a first level, a first level signal S1 from the shutterrelease button 13 is turned on. When the user presses the shutterrelease button 13 to a second level, a second level signal S2 from theshutter release button 13 is turned on.

Referring to FIG. 2, the back of the digital camera 1 according to thepresent invention includes a mode dial 14, functional buttons 15, amanual focusing/deleting button 36, a manual adjusting/reproducingbutton 37, a reproducing mode button 42, a speaker SP, a monitor button32, an automatic focusing lamp 33, a viewfinder 17 b, a flash standbylamp 34, a color LCD panel 35, the wide angle-zoom button 39 _(W), thetelephoto-zoom button 39 _(T), and an external interface unit 21.

The mode dial 14 is used for selecting any one of the operating modes ofthe digital camera 1 such as a simple photographing mode, a programphotographing mode, a character photographing mode, a night viewphotographing mode, a manual photographing mode, a moving imagephotographing mode 14 _(MP), a user setting mode 14 _(MY), and arecording mode 14 _(V).

After selecting the moving image photographing mode 14 _(MP), when auser presses the shutter release button 13, a moving image file iscreated in a memory card, i.e., a recording medium, and moving imagedata that is being input is stored in the moving image file. When theuser presses a macro/move down/stop-continue button 15 _(P) out of thefunctional buttons 15, the moving image data that is being input stopsbeing stored. When the user presses the macro/move/stop-continue button15 _(P) again, the moving image data being input continues to be storedin the moving image file. When the user presses the shutter releasebutton 13 again, the moving image data being input stops being stored,and the moving image file is completed. Since all of the moving imagedata photographed at different times are stored in the same moving imagefile, moving images in different time frames can be consecutivelyreproduced. The moving image photographing mode 14 _(MP) will later bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 through 9.

The user setting mode 14 _(MY) indicates an operating mode for settingphotographing information needed for a still image mode or a movingimage photographing mode. The recording mode 14 _(V) is an operatingmode for recording only sounds, such as a user's voice. After selectingthe recording mode 14 _(V), when a user presses the shutter releasebutton, an audio file is created in the memory card and sounds beinginput are stored in the audio file. When the user presses a macro/movedown/stop-continue button 15 _(P) that is one of the functional buttons15, audio data being input stops being stored. When the user presses themacro/move/stop-continue button 15 _(P) again, the audio data beinginput continues to be stored in the audio file. When the user pressesthe shutter release button 13 again, the audio data being input stopsbeing stored, and the audio file is completed. Since all of the audiodata recorded at different times can be stored in the same audio file,sounds in different time frames can be consecutively reproduced.

The functional buttons 15 are used for operating specific functions ofthe digital camera 1. The functional buttons 15 are also used asdirection-movement buttons for an active cursor on the menu screen ofthe color LCD panel 35. For example, in the still mode or moving imagephotographing mode 14 _(MP), a user may set automatic proximity focusingby pressing the macro/move down/stop-continue button 15 _(P). When theuser presses the macro/move-down/stop-continue button 15 _(P) whileviewing a menu that sets a condition within an operating mode (the menubeing displayed after pressing a menu/select-confirm button 15 _(M)),the activated cursor is moved down. The functionality of the macro/movedown/stop-continue button 15 _(P) in the moving image photographing mode14 _(MP) or in the recording mode 14 _(V) is as described above.

When a user presses a voice-memo/move-up button 15 _(R), a 10 secondrecording is possible upon consecutive photographing. When the userpresses the voice-memo/move up button 15 _(R) while viewing a menu forsetting a condition for an operating mode (the menu being displayedafter pressing the menu/select-confirm button 15 _(M)), the activatedcursor is moved up. If the user presses the menu/select-confirm button15 _(M) when the active cursor is on a selection item, an operationcorresponding to the selection item is performed.

The manual focusing/deleting button 36 is used for manual focusing ordeletion by the user in a photographing mode. The manualadjusting/reproducing button 37 is used for manual adjustment ofspecified conditions and for stopping or reproducing in a reproducingmode. The reproducing mode button 42 is used for converting to areproducing or preview mode.

The monitor button 32 is used for controlling the operation of the colorLCD panel 35. For example, in the photographing mode, when the userpresses the monitor button 32, an image of a subject and photographinginformation are displayed on the color LCD panel 35. When the userpresses the monitor button 32 again, the power applied to the color LCDpanel 35 is cut off. In the reproducing mode, when the user presses themonitor button 32 while an image file is being reproduced, photographinginformation about the image file being reproduced is displayed on thecolor LCD panel 35. When the user presses the monitor button 32 again,only pure images are displayed.

The automatic focusing lamp 33 operates when a focus is well adjusted.The flash standby lamp 34 operates when the flash 12 of FIG. 1 is in astandby mode. A mode indicating lamp 14 _(L) indicates a selection modeof the mode dial 14.

FIG. 3 shows the entire configuration of the digital camera of FIG. 1.The entire configuration and operation of the digital camera 1 of FIG. 1will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3.

An optical system (OPS) includes the lens unit 20 and a filter unit andoptically processes light. The lens unit 20 of the OPS includes a zoomlens, a focus lens, and a compensation lens.

When the user presses the wide angle-zoom button 39 _(W) or thetelephoto-zoom button 39 _(T) included in a user input unit (INP), asignal corresponding to the wide angle-zoom button 39 _(W) or thetelephoto-zoom button 39 _(T) is input to the micro controller 512. Themicro controller 512 controls a lens driver 510, thereby running a zoommotor M_(Z), which, in turn, moves the zoom lens. In other words, whenthe user presses the wide angle-zoom button 39 _(W), a focal length ofthe zoom lens becomes short, thereby widening an angle of view. When theuser presses the telephoto-zoom button 39 _(T), the focal length of thezoom lens becomes long, thereby narrowing the angle of view. Because theposition of the focus lens is adjusted in a state where the position ofthe zoom lens is set, the angle of view is hardly affected by theposition of the focus lens.

In the automatic focusing mode, a main controller built into the DSP 507controls the lens driver 510 through the micro controller 512, therebydriving a focus motor M_(F). Accordingly, the focus lens is moved, and,in this process, the position of the focus lens having the largest highfrequency component of an image signal is set. This position may, forexample, correlate to a certain number of driving steps of the focusmotor M_(F).

The compensation lens in the lens unit 20 of the OPS is not separatelyoperated because the compensation lens compensates for an entirerefractive index. A reference numeral M_(A) indicates a motor fordriving an aperture (not shown).

An optical low pass filter included in the filter unit of the OPSeliminates optical noises of a high frequency component. An infrared cutfilter included in the filter unit of the OPS blocks an infraredcomponent of incident light.

A photoelectric conversion unit (OEC) of a charge coupled device or acomplementary metal oxide semiconductor converts light from the OPS intoan electrical analog signal. Here, the DSP 507 controls a timing circuit502 to control the operations of the OEC and a correlation doublesampler and analog-to digital converter (CDS-ADC) 501, which is ananalog-digital converter. The CDS-ADC 501 processes an analog signalfrom the OEC, eliminates high frequency noises, adjusts amplitude, andthen converts the analog signal into a digital signal.

A real time clock (RTC) 503 provides time information to the DSP 507.The DSP 507 processes the digital signal from the CDS-ADC 501 andgenerates a digital image signal classified into a luminance signal anda chromaticity signal.

A light source (LAMP) is operated by the micro controller 512 inresponse to a control signal generated by the DSP 507 including the maincontroller. The light source (LAMP) includes the self-timer lamp 11, theautomatic focusing lamp 33, the mode indicating lamp 14 _(L), and theflash standby lamp 34. The INP includes the shutter release button 13,the mode dial 14, the functional buttons 15, the monitor button 32, themanual focusing/deleting button 36, the manual adjusting/reproducingbutton 37, the wide angle-zoom button 39 _(W), and the telephoto-zoombutton 39 _(T).

A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) 504 temporarily stores a digitalimage signal from the DSP 507. An electrically erasable and programmableread only memory (EEPROM) 507 stores algorithm and setting data. Auser's memory card is inserted or removed in a memory card interface506. The digital image signal from the DSP 507 is input to a LCD driver514, thereby displaying an image on the color LCD panel 35.

The digital image signal from the DSP 507 can be transmitted as serialcommunications via a universal serial bus connector 21 a or a RS232Cinterface 508 and RS232C connector 21 b. The digital image signal fromthe DSP 507 can also be transmitted via a video filter 509 and a videooutput unit 21 c as a video signal. Here, the DSP 507 includes the maincontroller.

An audio processor 513 outputs a voice signal from the microphone MICthrough the DSP 507 or the speaker SP. In addition, the audio processor513 outputs an audio signal from the DSP 507 through the speaker SP. Themicro controller 512 controls the operation of a flash controller 511 inresponse to a signal from the flash light intensity sensor 19, therebydriving the flash 12.

A main algorithm of the DSP 507 of FIG. 3 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 1 through 4.

When power is applied to the digital photographing apparatus 1, the DSP507 is initialized (Step S1). After the initialization (Step S1), theDSP 507 performs a preview mode (Step S2). In the preview mode, an imageinput is displayed on the display panel 35. An operation related to thepreview mode will later be described in detail with reference to FIG.10.

The DSP 507 identifies a present operating mode (Step S3). Hereinafter,a description of the recording mode will be omitted. The DSP 507performs the still image photographing mode or the moving imagephotographing mode depending on the present operation mode (Steps S41 orS42). The algorithm of performing the still image photographing mode(Step S41) will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The algorithm ofperforming the moving image photographing mode (Step S42) will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 5 through 9.

Of input signals generated by the INP, when signals corresponding to asetting mode are input (Step S5), the setting mode for setting anoperating condition in response to the input signals from the INP isperformed (Step S6). When a termination signal is not generated, the DSP507 continues to perform the following steps (Step S7).

When a signal is generated by the reproducing mode button 42 in the INP,a reproducing mode (Step S4) is performed (Step S9). In the reproducingmode, operating conditions are set in response to the input signals fromthe INP, and reproducing is performed. When a signal is generated by thereproducing mode button 42 again (Step S10), the above steps arere-performed.

The algorithm of performing the moving image photographing mode (StepS42) of FIG. 4 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3and FIG. 5.

The DSP 507 inspects a remaining capacity of the memory card (StepS4201) and determines whether the memory card has a capacity forrecording digital moving image data (Step S4202). When the memory carddoes not have enough recordable capacity, the DSP 507 indicates a lackof capacity of the memory card (Step S4203). When the memory card hasenough recordable capacity, the following steps are performed.

The DSP 507 sets a white balance according to a present photographingcondition, and parameters related to the white balance (Step S4204). Inan automatic exposure mode (Step S4205), the DSP 507 calculates theexposure to incident luminance, drives the aperture driving motor M_(A)according to the calculated exposure, and sets a shutter speed (StepS4206). In an automatic focusing mode (Step S4207), the DSP 507 performsautomatic focusing and drives the focus lens (Step S4208).

When the first level signal S1 from the shutter release button 13 is on(Step S4209), the DSP continues to perform the following steps.

The DSP 507 identifies whether the second level signal S2 is on (StepS4210). When the second level signal S2 is not on, it means that theuser did not press the shutter release button 13 to the second level totake a photograph. Therefore, the DSP 507 repeats Steps 4205 through4210. When the second level signal S2 is on, it means that the userpressed the shutter release button 13 to the second level. Therefore,the DSP 507 creates one moving image file in the memory card (StepS4211). The DSP 507 compresses moving image data from the CDS-ADC 501using the compressing algorithm of a motion picture experts group (MPEG)or a motion joint photographic experts group (MJPEG) and stores thecompressed moving image data in the moving image file (Step S4212).

As described above, in this process of compressing the moving image dataand storing it in the moving image file, when a stop-continue signal isnot generated by the macro/move-down/stop-continue button 15 _(P), andboth the first level signal S1 and the second level signal S2 from theshutter release button 13 are on, the DSP 507 stops storing the movingimage data being input and completes the moving image file (Steps S4213,S4218, S4219, and S4220).

However, when the stop-continue signal is generated by themacro/move-down/stop-continue button 15 _(P) (Step S4213), the DSP 507stops storing the moving image data (Step S4214). While storing isstopped, when the stop-continue signal is generated again from themacro/move-down/stop-continue button 15 _(P) (Step S4215), the DSP 507re-performs Step S4212. In addition, when both the first level signal S1and the second level signal S2 from the shutter release button 13 areon, the DSP 507 stops storing the moving image data being input andcompletes the moving image file (Steps S4216, S4217, and S4220).

A first switch element 16 a may pause storing time-variant digitalinformation and a second switch element 16 b may continue storing thetime-variant digital information in the same digital information file.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first example of performing Steps S4210 throughS4219 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, reference numerals S2, SP, and DS indicate a secondlevel signal from the shutter release button 13 of FIG. 1, themacro/move-down/stop-continue button 15 _(P) of FIG. 2, and moving imagedata stored in a memory card, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the second level signal S2 from theshutter release button 13 is on at time t1 (Step S4210), one movingimage file is created in the memory card (Step S4211), and first movingimage data DS1 is stored in the moving image file (Step S4212). When astop-continue signal is generated by the macro/move down/stop-continuebutton 15 _(P) at time t2 (Step S4213), the first moving image data DS1stops being stored (Step S4214). When the stop-continue signal isgenerated again by the macro/move-down/stop-continue button 15 _(P) at atime t3 (Step S4215), second moving image data DS2 is stored in the samemoving image file (Step S4212). When the second level signal S2 from theshutter release button 13 is on at time t4, the second moving image dataDS2 being input stops being stored, and the moving image file iscompleted (Steps S4219 and S4220).

FIG. 6A is a timing diagram similar to that of FIG. 6 showing atwo-level shutter button supplying a first shutter signal when pressedto a first level and a second shutter signal when pressed to a secondlevel. The first signal is generated by a first activation of the firstshutter signal, the fourth signal is generated by the second activationof the first shutter signal, the second signal is generated by a firstactivation of the second shutter signal and the third signal isgenerated by the second activation of the second shutter signal.

Referring to FIG. 7, the moving image file 7 obtained from the firstexample of FIG. 6 includes a file starter 71, head data 72, the firstmoving image data DS1, the second moving image data DS2, a first audiodata 741, a second audio data 742, miscellaneous data 75, and a fileterminator 76. The file starter 71 includes data notifying a file start.The head data 72 includes data notifying a file format.

Both the first moving image data DS1 and the second moving image dataDS2, divided into different time frames at a user's choice, are storedin the same moving image file 7. Accordingly, moving images photographedat different times can be consecutively reproduced. Furthermore, thefirst audio data 741 corresponding to the first moving image data DS1and the second audio data 742 corresponding to the second moving imagedata DS2 are stored in the same moving image file 7. Here, the firstaudio data 741 and the second audio data 742 might not be stored in themoving image file 7 depending on moving image photographing conditionsset by a user. The miscellaneous data 75 may include subtitle data at auser's choice.

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating a second example of performingSteps S4210 through S4219. Reference numerals of FIG. 8 that areidentical to those of FIG. 6 indicate identical elements with identicalfunctionalities.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, when a second level signal S2 from theshutter release button 13 is on at time t1 (Step S4210), a first movingimage file is created in a memory card (Step S4211), and first movingimage data DS1 is stored in the first moving image file (Step S4212).When the stop-continue signal is generated by themacro/move-down/stop-continue button 15 _(P) at time t2 (Step S4213),the first moving image data DS1 stops being stored (Step S4214). Whenthe stop-continue signal is generated again by themacro/move-down/stop-continue button 15 _(P) at time t3 (Step S4215),second moving image data DS2 is stored in the first moving image file(Step S4212). When the second level signal S2 from the shutter releasebutton 13 is on at time t4, the second moving image data DS2 being inputstops being stored, and the first moving image file is completed (StepsS4219 and S4220).

When the second level signal S2 from the shutter release button 13 is onat time t5 (Step 4210), a second moving image file is created in thememory card (Step S4211), and moving image data is stored in the secondmoving image file (Step S4212). When the second level signal S2 from theshutter release button 13 is on at time t6, the moving image data beinginput stops being stored, and the second moving image file is completed(Steps S4219 and S4220).

FIG. 9 is a timing diagram illustrating a third example of performingSteps S4210 through S4219. Reference numerals of FIG. 9 that areidentical to those of FIG. 6 indicate identical elements with identicalfunctionalities.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, when a second level signal S2 from theshutter release button 13 is on at time t1 (Step S4210), a first movingimage file is created in a memory card (Step S4211), and moving imagedata is stored in the first moving image file (Step S4212). When thestop-continue signal is generated by the macro/move-down/stop-continuebutton 15 _(P) at time t2 (Step S4213), the moving image data stopsbeing stored (Step S4214). When the second level signal S2 from theshutter release button 13 is on at time t3, the moving image data beinginput stops being stored, and the first moving image file is completed(Steps S4215 through S4217 and Step S4220).

At time t4, when the moving image photographing mode is off, even thoughthe stop-continue signal is generated by the macro/movedown/stop-continue button 15 _(P) (not shown in FIG. 5), photographingmoving images is not performed.

When the second level signal S2 from the shutter release button 13 is onat time t5 (Step S4210), a second moving image file is created in thememory card (Step S4211), and moving image data is stored in the secondmoving image file (Step S4212). When the second level signal S2 from theshutter release button 13 is on at time t6, the moving image data beinginput stops being stored, and the second moving image file is completed(Steps S4219 and S4220).

The algorithm of performing the preview mode Step 2 of FIG. 4 will nowbe described with reference to FIG. 1 through 3 and FIG. 10.

The DSP 507 performs automatic white balancing (AWB) and sets parametersrelated to the white balance (Step S201). In the automatic exposure mode(Step S202), the DSP 507 calculates the exposure to incident luminance,drives the aperture driving motor M_(A) according to the calculatedexposure, and sets a shutter speed (Step S203).

The DSP 507 performs gamma correction on input image data (Step S204)and scales the gamma corrected image data to meet display standards. TheDSP 507 converts the scaled input image data from a red R—green G—blue Bformat into a luminance-chromaticity format (Step S206). The DSP 507processes the input image data depending on resolution and displayedlocation, and filters the input image data (Step S207).

The DSP 507 temporarily stores the input image data in the DRAM 504 ofFIG. 3 (Step S208). The DSP 507 synthesizes the data temporarily storedin the DRAM 504 of FIG. 3 and on-screen display (OSD) data (Step S209).The DSP 507 converts the synthesized image data from the R-G-B formatinto the luminance-chromaticity format (Step S210) and outputs the imagedata in the converted format on the LCD driver 514 of FIG. 3 (StepS211).

FIG. 11 illustrates an algorithm of performing the still imagephotographing mode of FIG. 4 (Step S41). The algorithm of performing thestill image photographing mode (Step S41) will now be described withreference to FIGS. 1 through 3 and FIG. 11. Here, the present positionof the zoom lens is already set.

The DSP 507 inspects a remaining capacity of the memory card (StepS4101) and determines whether the memory card has enough capacity forrecording a digital image signal (Step S4102). When the memory card doesnot have enough recordable capacity, the DSP 507 indicates a lack ofcapacity of the memory card and stops performing the still imagephotographing mode (Step S4103). When the memory card has enoughrecordable capacity, the following steps are performed.

The DSP 507 sets while balance according to a present photographingcondition, and parameters related to the white balance (Step S4104). Inthe automatic exposure mode (Step S4105), the DSP 507 calculates theexposure to incident luminance, drives the aperture driving motor M_(A)according to the calculated exposure, and sets a shutter speed (StepS4106). In the automatic focusing mode (Step S4107), the DSP 507performs automatic focusing and drives the focus lens (Step S4108).

When the first level signal S1 from the shutter release button 13 is on(Step S4109), the DSP 507 continues to perform the following steps.

The DSP 507 identifies whether the second level signal S2 is on (StepS4110). When the second level signal S2 is not on, it means that theuser did not press the shutter release button 13 to the second level totake a photograph. Then, the DSP 507 re-performs Steps S4105 throughS4110. When the second level signal S2 is on, it means that the userpressed the shutter release button 13 to the second level. Then, the DSP507 creates a still image file in the memory card (Step S4111). The DSP507 captures a still image (Step S4112). In doing so, the DSP 507receives still image data from the CDS-ADC 501. Then, the DSP 507compresses the received still image data (Step S4113). The DSP 507stores the compressed still image data in the still image file (StepS4114).

As described above, in a method of controlling a digital photographingapparatus and a digital photographing apparatus adopting the sameaccording to the present invention, signals generated by two buttons areused, and moving image data divided into different time frames at auser's choice can be consecutively reproduced.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of recording moving image data, themethod comprising: operating a digital photographing apparatus tocapture a moving image and create moving image data representativethereof; creating a moving image file in a recording medium; storing themoving image data in the moving image file as the moving image is beingcaptured and the moving image data is being created, when a firstprimary signal is generated; stopping the digital photographingapparatus from capturing the moving image, and stopping storing of themoving image data in the moving image file, if moving image data isbeing stored, when a first secondary signal is generated; operating thedigital photographing apparatus to further capture a moving image andcreate further moving image data representative thereof; and storing thefurther moving image data in the moving image file, as the moving imageis being further captured and the further moving image data is beingcreated, if moving image data is not being stored and a second primarysignal has not been generated, when a second secondary signal isgenerated; and stopping storing of the further moving image data andcompleting the moving image file including the moving image data and thefurther moving image data, wherein the moving image data and the furthermoving image data are divided into different time frames, when thesecond primary signal is generated; wherein: the first and secondprimary signals are each generated when only a first button is pressedand the first and second secondary signals are each generated when onlya second button is pressed; and the moving image file comprises a filestarter, head data, at least one portion of moving image data, and afile terminator.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: repeatingat least once the step of stopping the digital photographing apparatusfrom capturing the moving image, and stopping storing of the movingimage data being input in the moving image file, if moving image data isbeing stored, when a third secondary signal is generated.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: repeating at least once the step ofstoring the further moving image data in the moving image file, ifmoving image data is not being stored and a second primary signal hasnot been generated, when a fourth secondary signal is generated.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: storing audio data correspondingto the moving data in the moving image file.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising: storing audio data corresponding to the moving imagedata being input in the moving image file, when the first primary signalis generated; stopping storing of the audio data corresponding to themoving image data being input in the moving image file, if moving imagedata is being stored, when the first secondary signal is generated;storing further audio data corresponding to the further moving imagedata in the moving image file, if moving image data is not being storedand the second primary signal has not been generated, when the secondsecondary signal is generated; and stopping storing of the further audiodata corresponding to the further moving image data being stored andcompleting the moving image file when the second primary signal isgenerated.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the moving image filefurther comprises at least one portion of audio data corresponding tothe moving image data.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the movingimage file further comprises subtitle data.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining the remaining capacity of the recordingmedium.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determiningwhether the remaining capacity of the recording medium is sufficient forrecording.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the recording medium isinsertable into and removable from the digital photographing apparatus.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the recording medium is a memorycard.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first button may be pressedto two levels, wherein pressing the first button to the first levelgenerates a first level signal and pressing the first button to thesecond level generates the first and second primary signals.
 13. Adigital photographing apparatus, comprising: an optical system; aphotoelectric conversion unit; a recording medium; a digital signalprocessor; a first button; and a second button, wherein the digitalphotographing apparatus operates to capture a moving image and createmoving image data representative thereof, and wherein the digital signalprocessor controls the steps of: creating a moving image file in arecording medium; storing the moving image data in the moving image fileas the moving image is being captured and the moving image data is beingcreated, when a first primary signal is generated; stopping the digitalphotographing apparatus from capturing the moving image, and stoppingstoring of the moving image data in the moving image file, if movingimage data is being stored, when a first secondary signal is generated;operating the digital photographing apparatus to further capture amoving image and create further moving image data representativethereof; storing the further moving image data in the moving image file,as the moving image is being further captured and the further movingimage data is being created, if moving image data is not being storedand a second primary signal has not been generated, when a secondsecondary signal is generated; and stopping storing of the furthermoving image data and completing the moving image file including themoving image data and the further moving image data, wherein the movingimage data and the further moving image data are divided into differenttime frames, when the second primary signal is generated; wherein: thefirst and second primary signals are each generated when only a firstbutton is pressed and the first and second secondary signals are eachgenerated when only a second button is pressed; and the moving imagefile comprises a file starter, head data, at least one portion of movingimage data, and a file terminator.
 14. The digital photographingapparatus of claim 13, wherein the recording medium is insertable intoand removable from the digital photographing apparatus.
 15. The digitalphotographing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the digital signalprocessor further controls storing audio data corresponding to themoving image data in the moving image file.
 16. A digital photographingapparatus, comprising: means for inputting and processing light; meansfor converting the processed light into an electrical digital signalrepresenting moving image data; and means for performing the followingoperations: creating a moving image file in a recording medium; storingthe moving image data in the moving image file as the processed light isbeing converted into the electrical digital signal representing themoving image data, when a first primary signal is generated; stoppinginputting and processing light and converting the processed light, whilestopping storing of the moving image data in the moving image file, ifmoving image data is being stored, when a first secondary signal isgenerated; continuing inputting and processing light and converting theprocessed light, and storing further moving image data in the movingimage file as the processed light is being converted into the electricaldigital signal representing the moving image data, if moving image datais not being stored and a second primary signal has not been generated,when a second secondary signal is generated; and stopping storing of thefurther moving image data and completing the moving image file includingthe moving image data and the further moving image data, wherein themoving image data and the further moving image data are divided intodifferent time frames, when the second primary signal is generated;wherein: the first and second primary signals are each generated whenonly a first button is pressed and the first and second secondarysignals are each generated when only a second button is pressed; and themoving image file comprises a file starter, head data, at least oneportion of moving image data, and a file terminator.
 17. A method ofrecording time-variant digital information comprising: using a digitalinformation receiving apparatus to capture a moving image astime-variant digital information; upon receiving a first signal,creating a digital information file and storing the time-variant digitalinformation as the moving image is being captured; upon receiving asecond signal, pausing capturing of the moving image and the storing ofthe time-variant digital information; upon receiving a third signal,continuing capturing of a further moving image as further time-variantdigital information and storing the further time-variant digitalinformation in the same digital information file such that at least twoseparate time-variant digital information time frames are contiguouslystored in the same digital information file as the further moving imageis being captured; and upon receiving a fourth signal, stopping storageof the further time-variant digital information and completing thedigital information file; wherein: the first and fourth signals are eachgenerated when only a first button is pressed, the second and thirdsignals are each generated when only a second button is pressed, whereinthe first signal is generated by a first activation of the first buttonand the fourth signal is generated by a second activation of the firstbutton, the second signal is generated by a first activation of thesecond button, and the third signal is generated by the secondactivation of the second button; and the moving image file comprises afile starter, head data, at least one portion of moving image data, anda file terminator.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first buttonis a shutter button.
 19. A method of recording time-variant digitalinformation comprising: using a digital information receiving apparatusto capture a moving image as time-variant digital information; uponreceiving a first signal, creating a digital information file andstoring the time-variant digital information as the moving image isbeing captured; upon receiving a second signal, pausing capturing of themoving image and the storing of the time-variant digital information;upon receiving a third signal, continuing capturing of a further movingimage as further time-variant digital information and storing thefurther time-variant digital information in the same digital informationfile such that at least two separate time-variant digital informationtime frames are contiguously stored in the same digital information fileas the further moving image is being captured; and upon receiving afourth signal, stopping storage of the further time-variant digitalinformation and completing the digital information tile; wherein: thefirst and fourth signals are each generated when only a first button ispressed; the first button is a shutter button; the second signal isgenerated by a first activation of only a switch element and the thirdsignal is generated by a second activation of only the switch element;and the moving image file comprises a file starter, head data, at leastone portion of moving image data, and a file terminator.
 20. A method ofrecording time-variant digital information comprising: using a digitalinformation receiving apparatus to capture a moving image astime-variant digital information; upon receiving a first signal,creating a digital information file and storing the time-variant digitalinformation as the moving image is being captured; upon receiving asecond signal, pausing capturing of the moving image and the storing ofthe time-variant digital information; upon receiving a third signal,continuing capturing of a further moving image as further time-variantdigital information and storing the further time-variant digitalinformation in the same digital information file such that at least twoseparate time-variant digital information time frames are contiguouslystored in the same digital information file as the further moving imageis being captured; and upon receiving a fourth signal, stopping storageof the further time-variant digital information and completing thedigital information file; wherein: the first signal is generated by onlya first activation of a shutter button, and the fourth signal isgenerated by only a second activation of the shutter button; and a firstswitch element and a second switch element is provided where the secondsignal is generated by the first switch element and the third signal isgenerated by the second switch element; and the moving image filecomprises a file starter, head data, at least one portion of movingimage data, and a file terminator.
 21. A method of recordingtime-variant digital information comprising: using a digital informationreceiving apparatus to capture a moving image as time-variant digitalinformation; upon receiving a first signal, creating a digitalinformation file and storing the time-variant digital information as themoving image is being captured; upon receiving a second signal, pausingcapturing of the moving image and the storing of the time-variantdigital information; upon receiving a third signal, continuing capturingof a further moving image as further time-variant digital informationand storing the further time-variant digital information in the samedigital information file such that at least two separate time-variantdigital information time frames are contiguously stored in the samedigital information file as the further moving image is being captured;and upon receiving a fourth signal, stopping storage of the furthertime-variant digital information and completing the digital informationfile; wherein: a two-level shutter button is provided that supplies afirst shutter signal when pressed to a first level and supplies a secondshutter signal when pressed to a second level, where the first signal isgenerated by a first activation of the first shutter signal, the fourthsignal is generated by the second activation of the first shuttersignal, the second signal is generated by a first activation of thesecond shutter signal and the third signal is generated by the secondactivation of the second shutter signal; and the moving image filecomprises a file starter, head data, at least one portion of movingimage data, and a file terminator.